Psychedelic Rock Spotify Playlist: The Best of the Genre

Psychedelic Rock Spotify Playlist: The Best of the Genre is a collection of the best psychedelic rock songs available on Spotify. This playlist is perfect for anyone who loves psychedelic rock or is looking to explore the genre.

Defining Psychedelic Rock

Psychedelic rock is a genre that is often misunderstood. To the average person, it is nothing more than a drug-induced trip into another reality. However, there is so much more to it.Psychedelic rock is a genre of music that is based on the use of electronic instruments and studio effects to create a sound that is meant to replicate the experience of a psychedelic drug.

What is Psychedelic Rock?

Psychedelic rock, also referred to as psychedelia, is a style of rock that emerged in the mid-1960s and reached the height of its popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The genre is marked by a focus on extended instrumental solos, complex song structures, and an overall psychedelic atmosphere.

Psychedelic rock began to lose its popularity in the late 1970s, but has experienced a resurgence in recent years. Many modern indie and alternative bands have been influenced by the psychedelic rock of the 1960s and 1970s, and have incorporated elements of the genre into their own music.

The History of Psychedelic Rock

Psychedelic rock, also referred to as psychedelia, is a subgenre of rock music that began in the 1960s and reached the height of its popularity in the mid-to-late 1960s. The style is distinguished by a preoccupation with extended instrumental solos, unusual sounds, and lyrical and visual hallucinations.

Psychedelic rock developed from a combination of musical traditions, including blues, folk, and R&B. Psychedelic musicians frequently used drug references and expanded consciousness as lyrical themes. The earliest examples of psychedelic rock include songs like the Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” (1967), Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody to Love” (1967), and the Doors’ “Break on Through (To the Other Side)” (1967).

The genre continued to develop in the 1970s with artists like Pink Floyd (“Another Brick in the Wall”, “Wish You Were Here”), David Bowie (“Space Oddity”), and Led Zeppelin (“Kashmir”) incorporating psychedelic elements into their music. In the 1980s, psychedelic rock underwent a resurgence with bands like Echo & the Bunnymen, The Stone Roses, Primal Scream, and The Charlatans UK adopting a more distinctly 1980s sound while still incorporating aspects of psychedelia.

The Best Psychedelic Rock Songs

Psychedelic rock, also referred to as “psychedelia”, is a diverse style of rock music that is inspired by or influenced by psychedelic culture, which is centred around the use of psychedelic drugs. The music is intended to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs, most notably LSD. Psychedelic rock often uses distorted guitars, feedback, and other sound effects to create a “trippy” or “draw you in” soundscape.

“A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum

Procol Harum’s “A Whiter Shade of Pale” is one of the most well-known and beloved psychedelic rock songs of all time. The tune became an instant classic upon its release in 1967, and has since been covered by numerous artists. The song’s unique blend of elements from classical, jazz, and pop music make it a perfect example of the psychedelic rock genre.

“In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” by Iron Butterfly

Iron Butterfly’s “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” is one of the most well-known psychedelic rock songs of all time. The 17-minute track was originally released as a single in 1968, but it was later included on the band’s second studio album of the same name. “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” is known for its lengthy drum solo from drummer Ron Bushy, as well as its iconic bass line from Lee Dorman. The song’s title is often misheard as “In the Garden of Eden,” but it actually comes from a drunken mispronunciation by band members while they were recording the track.

“Somebody to Love” by Jefferson Airplane

“Somebody to Love” is a song by the American rock band Jefferson Airplane, released as the lead single from their 1967 album Surrealistic Pillow. It was written by Darby Slick. The single was the most successful of the three songs released from Surrealistic Pillow, reaching number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number two in Canada.

“Light My Fire” by The Doors

“Light My Fire” is a song by the American rock band The Doors, which was composed by band member Ray Manzarek and recorded in 1967. Released as a single from their self-titled debut album, it became one of the group’s most successful songs, reaching number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 charts. “Light My Fire” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.

The Doors were already popular with their debut album, but “Light My Fire” propelled them to international fame. The song is credited as one of the first psychedelic rock songs and has been featured in many films and television shows over the years.

“Nights in White Satin” by The Moody Blues

Nights in White Satin is a 1967 single by The Moody Blues. It is one of the band’s most well-known and beloved songs. The song has been featured in many movies and TV shows over the years, and it is often cited as an example of psychedelic rock.

“Careful with That Axe, Eugene” by Pink Floyd

“Careful with That Axe, Eugene” is a 1968 single by English rock band Pink Floyd. Written by Roger Waters and recorded in May 1968, it was first released in August 1968 as the B-side to “It Would Be So Nice”. In October 1968, it was released as a single in the Netherlands, where it peaked at number five. It was re-released in the UK in 1973, reaching number 19 on the UK Singles Chart. The song marked a change in the band’s sound from their early psychedelic pop singles to progressive rock.

The song starts with an ocean sound effect, followed by an echo-laden scream from Roger Waters which builds into an atonal wall of noise from the rest of the band. The screaming has been variously described as “bloodcurdling”, “bone chilling”, and “the stuff of nightmares”. The song then resolves into a slow, quiet section featuring choral “ahh” sounds from Wright and Gilmour. This interlude grows progressively louder before ending abruptly with another scream from Waters. The final section is similar to the opening, but with different noises from Wright’s Moog modular synthesizer added to the mix.

While there is no standard definition of psychedelia, Pink Floyd’s use of experimental techniques and extended improvisation on “Careful with That Axe, Eugene” are characteristic of psychedelic rock music.

“I Can See for Miles” by The Who

I Can See for Miles is a song by The Who, released as a single in October 1967, from the album The Who Sell Out (1967). It was their first single to feature lead guitarist Pete Townshend on lead vocals. In October 2013, NME ranked “I Can See for Miles” at No. 73 on its list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”. Rolling Stone named it the 41st greatest song of all time.

“All Along the Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix

“All Along the Watchtower” is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. Released as the lead single from his 1967 album John Wesley Harding, it was a commercial success, reaching number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 5 on the UK Singles Chart. The song has been covered by many artists, including Jimi Hendrix, who recorded his influential version for Electric Ladyland in 1968.

“Paint It, Black” by The Rolling Stones

“Paint It, Black” is a song by the English rock band the Rolling Stones. Released as a single in 1966, it was one of the band’s most successful singles, reaching the number one position in both the United Kingdom and the United States. The song is credited to Jagger/Richards, but it was primarily written by Keith Richards.

“Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix

“Purple Haze” is a song written by Jimi Hendrix and released as the second single by The Jimi Hendrix Experience on March 17, 1967. The song features his inventive guitar playing, which uses the signature Hendrix chord and feedback techniques. It is one of the most popular songs from the psychedelic rock genre and is still played regularly on classic rock radio.

The Future of Psychedelic Rock

Psychedelic rock is a genre of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. The genre emerged during the 1960s with the help of artists like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

The Psychedelic Rock Revival

We’re in the midst of a psychedelic rock revival, and it’s happening right under our noses. If you’re not familiar with the genre, Psychedelic rock is a style of rock that was popularized in the 1960s and 1970s characterized by distorted guitars, drug-related lyrics, and mind-bending visual experiences. The genre has seen something of a resurgence in recent years with bands like Tame Impala and The Brian Jonestown Massacre leading the charge.

There’s no denying that psychedelic rock is having a moment right now. But what does the future hold for the genre? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure:Psychedelic rock is here to stay.

The New Wave of Psychedelic Rock

In recent years, there has been a resurgence in psychedelic rock, with many new bands appearing on the scene and revitalizing the genre. This new wave of psychedelic rock is characterized by its experimental soundscapes, heavy use of effects pedals, and often trippy lyrics.

Some of the leading artists in this new wave of psychedelic rock include Tame Impala, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, and Thee Oh Sees. These bands are pushing the boundaries of what psychedelic rock can be, and as a result, their music is some of the most exciting and innovative in the genre.

If you’re looking to explore this new wave of psychedelic rock, then check out our playlist below. It features some of the best tracks from these leading artists, as well as some up-and-coming bands that are sure to make a big impact in the years to come.